Over half of Plan panel staff to be farmed out

The think tank that will replace the 64-year-old Planning Commission might retain only 40 per cent of its 1,000 staff members.

The rest are expected to be sent back to their parent cadres. Among those set to return, decisions were pending on 250 for different reasons, officials in the know said.

These include staff posted in offices attached to the Planning Commission except the Unique Identification Authority of India.

Officials said though the government was in wide-ranging talks on the structure of the new body to replace the commission, it had a broad picture in mind.

The Union cabinet might soon consider a note on reorganisation of the commission.

According to the cabinet note, the majority of the 31 technical divisions of the Planning Commission will be attached to their respective ministries.

The technical divisions include those for agriculture, communications, information technology, health, family welfare and nutrition, and rural development.

These divisions, comprising subject experts, give inputs for five-year plans and also on matters raised by ministries. Officials said the note also indicates the state plan division, which frames annual plans of state governments, is expected to be wound up and moved to the finance ministry.

"All these proposals are expected to be considered by the Union cabinet soon," an official said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his maiden Independence Day speech had announced the abolition of the Planning Commission. An open forum was created on the government's website inviting suggestions on the new body that should replace it.

The government has also held a high-level consultative meeting on the issue.